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- Ophelia A.Oakland, CA01Jan 23, 2013
I landed at 88 Perry St./Yerba Buena Commons after relocating to the Bay Area from the East Coast... but had almost given up on being able to afford SF given my limited income and the high price of apartments in the city- especially this progressively gentrifying area I was attracted to from first glance of Yerba Buena Gardens (a pristine little park and impressive arts center just up the street). When I saw the listing I thought it must be too good to be true, or almost impossible to land an apartment there amongst the inevitable competition, but the leasing office was extremely responsive and actually got me into an apartment in less than a week- an absolute godsend given the limited time and funds I had left to find a place.
The pro's include the fact that it is extraordinarily affordable, centrally and accessibly located, and the units are all newly renovated and freshly painted/carpeted. My unit was pretty perfect with an amazing view of Yerba Beuna Gardens and the buildings of Union Square. I also upgraded from a unit down the hall to a unit with their newly installed sliding door closets (others came with armoirs) and built-in bookshelves, in addition to a brand new, full-size refridgerator. The staff generously assisted me with the transfer and made it quite a painless process (and even provided a dolly and greatly appreciated help moving my things).
I went through a lot during my time at 88 Perry St. (including a lengthy injury case requiring several surgeries) and found the staff to be quite accommodating and willing to help me out through my difficulties in any way possible.
And, as a film lover and someone laid up for long periods recovering from these aforementioned surgeries, I also *loved* the fact that not only are utilities included in the already affordable rent, it actually includes cable with about 10 free movie channels (HBO, Showtime, and Cinemax). An absolute luxury to say the least.
If it weren't for my difficulties with some of the louder, occasionally questionable tenants and guests there, I would likely have stayed even longer than I did. But there are perfectly decent people there as well... just important to be aware of the potential for less-than-full-deck energy that tends to pass through the address due to the affordability and centrality of the location, I guess...
88 Perry St. is intended to be transitional housing for those with limited income, and it definitely served its purpose for me and then some. The month-to-month lease flexibility and the affability of the staff provided me with exactly what I needed to get through an imperative threshold in my life and launch me into an optimal experience of the Bay Area, which I am grateful to still call home from across the adjacent bridge. (And, as an update, I would add that my experience living in comparably priced housing in the East Bay ever since I left 88 Perry St. has made me appreciate all of the above assets that much more).Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Kate F.San Francisco, CA14374Apr 7, 2024
As a tenant in an affordable SOMA apartment in the Yerba Buena Community, I found living in Yerba Buena Commons for the last four+ years an easy-going and comfortable experience, with a responsive, accessible management team close at hand. Even during the long years of the pandemic, when downtown San Francisco emptied out, I felt safe and protected with YBC health protocols routinely enforced. Though the YBC studios are small, they are efficient and adaptable to a private, self-sufficient life style. Fortunate to have a quieter, inner apartment facing the courtyard and garage, I was an eyewitness to the historic changes in downtown San Francisco as it hollowed out and is now returning to life, 2019-2024. An exciting neighborhood, close to world class sports, museums, and entertainment, YBC is an affordable home in a beautiful City.
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Julian I.London, United Kingdom109343394May 25, 2014
My review is based on my experience living here (which was DIRE) from Nov '12 till Aug 2013 - I've since moved out of this place.
WARNING: These SRO Micro 'Units/Apartments' are HORRIBLE. Im terribly embarrassed to have been a tenant here once but I am writing this review not necessarily to slam these SRO's but to try and be helpful & useful by warning people about this Building!
First off, they are TINY TINY. 175 - 200 Square Feet Small. They are Micro Apartments. Absolutely DISGUSTING for San Francisco to encourage/permit Single people to Live in.
Rent is around $875 and you have to meet low income requirements to qualify. Im not sure about the details or if a section of the building is reserved for Section 8, Handicapped, People on Welfare/SSI/SSDI but the Location is Absolutely Dodgy... surrounded by Liquor Stores, A NOISY Freeway, Construction, Hazards, Dangerous Alleys, and Drug Addicts & Dealers are all over this place and the surroundings despite being 'conveniently' located in SOMA across from Whole Foods, Escape from NY Pizza, and close to Caltrain, Safeway, and the Giants Stadium.
Each Units has ONE sink that you use for cooking and washing up. Tile is artificial Plastic flooring & there is carpet in the 'Living' space. The Unit I rented was INFESTED with Bed Bugs (Which do not Discriminate) Bed Bugs are a HUGE PROBLEM in this building; and had taken over & the carpet that takes up most of the building just adding to the infestation. The carpeting is the absolute worst, & brown in colour. There are bathrooms in each unit with a shower and toilet & they are painted gray/darkest blue & are dark & scary, not to mention incredibly slippery & accident prone.
The 'perks' of living here are the Trash Rooms & Laundry Rooms on Each Floor. There is a patio on the roof with a view of the freeway and all the industrial construction. The second floor has a room with mail boxes, vending machines & a pool table, 'library' & 'gym' & there is Security of course around all night, though they are VERY busy attending to the many problems this building has. Free cable is included but you have to provide your own TV. There is a big fridge/freezer in each micro unit, metal burners, a few painted wooden shelves, no space for even a table. Everything is CHEAP. The rooms are secure and you access each Unit with a Hotel style Card/Key which is a bit unusual.
The tenants that rent here are all supposed to be single, as the tiny micro units couldnt possibly fit more than one person & everyone here has 'Low Income' although I saw some families crammed in to Single Units. A lot of bad activities have occurred in this building - drug deals, crimes, overdoses, deaths, horrible fights, scary interventions, & this building was often horribly unpleasant, loud, & noisy.
Be warned, The City of SF ought to intervene & put an end to these kind of establishments for people to have to live in. They're disgusting. I hated living here but I thought I had no other option during that time I was a tenant & it was an absolute blessing in disguise that I moved. I literally left everything I owned behind & am trying to forget that I lived here. There are no good memories associated with this dreadful awful horrible place & I feel sad, ashamed, & embarrased for having lived here.
If you do decide to consider YBC, please take this review in to consideration, but regardless, do go by & see with your own eyes by all means. Yerba Buena Commons often advertises its micro units for rent on Craigslist. Also do a bit of research on the building/Micro/SRO Apartments on google.Helpful 11Thanks 0Love this 3Oh no 0 - Mariah T.Tracy, CA4475015Nov 9, 2015
I have been living at Yerba Buena Commons since Jan 2015. It is a very convenient location, 3 blocks away from A&T Park, 2 blocks away from the mall and grocery stores (Target, Walgreens, and Safeway). I'm very glad that I was able to get a room here that was recommended from a friend. The rent is affordable especially with all the studios and apartments in SF constantly rising in rent. It is a small studio and I was fortunate enough to get a room with a large window facing the city and not the freeway. It comes with everything you need (Microwave, fridge, bathroom, and sink) unfortunately it does not have an oven but I bought my own small toaster oven which was perfect.
When I first moved into my room it had bed bugs and I contacted the owner. Since I just moved in and all the other places in SF were super expensive I had no choice. He followed up with an inspector and sprayed my room in 4 week intervals. It still was not working but I ended up going to Target and buying my own raid and sprayed my room and I have not seen one since.
The building is filled with interesting characters and the management and security are really helpful and friendly (Especially Tina and Gabe). So far I'm happy where I live. I know that other reviews say that the rooms are tiny, it's located around a dodgy area and that it is noisy, this is what I have to say to you: WELCOME TO SF!
That's the city for you and the area where it's located used to be sketchy but due to gentrification happening all over SF the area is getting better. It's just the people who aren't used to city life, had cheap rent and have lived in a protected area feel it's unsafe. You should always keep your guard up wherever you go and always take the safest route anyways regardless of what city you are in.
What more can you ask for when your rent is controlled which includes utilities (water, garbage, and electric but you have to pay for wifi and cable), there are laundry rooms and trash chutes on each floor, vending machines, a parking garage (you have to pay monthly), the freeways going to the East Bay and South Bay are right outside, and it is in the Downtown area of SF?
Anyways, I hope this helps people out. You can't be too picky especially in SF where you have to share a studio or apartment with at least 5 people to make it. Here its affordable and it's just you living in a small studio. I recommend this place to anyone who's looking for a place!Helpful 10Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Lawrence D.San Francisco, CA03Dec 30, 2014
I have been been a tenant at Yerba Buena Commons since June of 2014. I am currently in one of the studio apartments within the facility and I have been exceptionally comfortable! The location is quite convenient being just a few blocks away from Market street yet not so close as to get all the Hustle and Bustle of the main roads. I was lucky enough to get a room that is not facing the freeway which is amazing. Also the view of the South of Market area is awesome from the upper floors. The security and cleaning staff are always here to help and are very friendly. The building recently upgraded its water heating systems and interior lighting to be more efficient and contemporary.
Overall I am extremely happy with where I live and would highly recommend Yerba Buena Commons.Helpful 2Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - Esther M.San Francisco, CA01Oct 6, 2015
I lived at yerba buena commons from september 2014 - august 2015. I had a very hard time finding a place to live in SF. Gabe helped me out a lot and gave me a beautiful little effeciency studio facing SF skyline. The studio is small however has everything you would need. I absolutely loved it, really worth it. Amazing location and I had a wonderful experience with all their associates. Maintenance was great and helpful. I would recommend yerba buena commons to anyone!
Helpful 3Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Anna N.San Francisco, CA111Dec 29, 2011First to Review
SRO efficiency studios for low-income residents. The good news is you can get in without a credit check. The bad news is for what you get it's not all that cheap. The rent on my unit (which I think is about 200 square feet) is going up to $830 starting January 2011. It comes with cable - which includes HBO and Showtime - and electricity. The heat's basically a glorified space heater bolted to the wall. You get one sink for kitchen and bathroom use, so you're brushing your teeth in the same sink you're draining spaghetti. The kitchenette is a mini-fridge, two electric burners, and a microwave. The shower is wheelchair-accessible and pretty big.
About every two weeks, management shuts off all the water in the building all day to do some kind of repairs. If the plumbing is that bad maybe they should just have the building condemned. On the sign the manager posts in the elevator to warn the residents about the water shut-off, he advises everyone to "fill up your juice bottles with tap water" the night before, as if you're supposed to be able to flush your toilet or take a shower with juice bottles. The building also employs some pervy maintenance and security workers (and some residents) who lurk around the parking lot to look in people's windows. Female prospectives might want to try to get a unit on a high floor for better privacy. Male tenants and building maintenance and security workers are advised to not be peeping tom wanker pervs.Helpful 9Thanks 0Love this 3Oh no 0
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